3 Practical Tips for Improving Laser Marking Accuracy

Want to improve the accuracy of your laser marking? Here are three practical tips, covering parameter optimization, focusing, and equipment maintenance, to help you overcome problems with blurry marks and inaccurate positioning, and achieve clearer and more accurate results.The software is designed to be easy for operators to master and to enhance their work efficiency.

The parameters of the laser beam are adjusted to match different materials.

The precision of laser marking is directly related to the characteristics of the material.For example, the parameters needed for metals and plastics are completely different. If the default settings are used, it is easy to get marks that are too shallow or burned.

The first step is to test the power and speed.

To begin, test with scrap material, starting at a low power level (say, 20 %) and gradually increasing until the markings are clearly visible, while at the same time observing the speed of the marking.Too fast a speed will result in a jagged line, while too slow a speed might burn through the material.The best parameters are recorded for future use.

Don't neglect frequency and spacing.

High frequencies are suitable for detailed patterns (such as QR codes), while low frequencies are better for coarse engravings.The recommended spacing between dots is 0.02-0.05mm. If the dots are too far apart, the image will appear grainy; if they are too close together, the heat generated can cause the image to deform.

Adjusting the focal point of the laser to bid farewell to blurred edges.

An incorrect focal point is a common cause of blurred images.Last week, a user reported that the laser beam was always slightly off. We discovered that the lens had become covered in grease and was out of focus.

Three steps to the focus position.

First clean the lens, then use a focusing scale to measure the standard distance.A more direct approach is to use a metal plate with a pattern of lines of varying widths, and select the one with the thinnest lines.

A trick for compensating the dynamic range.

When machining curved surfaces, the Z-axis automatic compensation function can be turned on.For example, when labeling a cylindrical object, the system automatically adjusts the focal length according to the curvature, which saves a lot of trouble compared to manual adjustment.Remember to check the lubrication of the slides periodically, as mechanical friction can affect dynamic accuracy.

Regular maintenance of equipment ensures stable output quality.

I've seen too many cases of a decrease in precision caused by neglecting to maintain the equipment," says Chen. "Someone's laser head accumulated dust and was unable to dissipate heat. The heat lens effect caused the spot size to increase threefold.

Three things he does every day.

Before starting the machine, a cotton swab is used to clean the nozzle of any residual material. After processing is complete, a compressed air gun is used to blow away any debris on the work platform. Before shutting down the machine, the temperature of the cooling water is checked to see if it exceeds the limit.These five-minute operations can prevent 80 % of sudden failures.

Monthly deep maintenance list

The galvanometer mirror is removed and cleaned with alcohol. Lubricant is applied to the tracks. The X and Y axes are calibrated.If the power of the laser beam decreases by more than 15 %, it may be time to consider replacing it.Don't wait until the machine breaks down to repair it, because then the loss of orders is even greater.